Basic Grammar and Writing II Syllabus for 2011-2012
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ENGL-0302-007 Basic Grammar and Writing II

Prerequisites

RDNG 0301 and ENGL 0301-minimum grade of C or acceptable Accuplacer reading and writing test scores or equivalent on a state-approved alternative test

Course Description

A review of skills taught in ENGL 0301. Practice in writing compound and complex sentences; mastering subject-verb agreement and pronoun usage; using all punctuation marks; and overcoming major spelling problems. Emphasis on paragraph skills taught in ENGL 0301 and short essays in standard American English.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\  The Writers World, 2nd ed. By Lynne Gaetz and Suneeti Phadke, Prentice Hall, 2012.

Supplies

\ Jump/Flash/USB drive if you want to save your computer work in a writing or computer lab.

Student Performance

\ Students will be able to:

\

\ ·         Analyze and write essays (500-750 words) utilizing different rhetorical modes

\

\ ·         Evaluate written expression by reviewing the rhetorical elements of situation, audience, purpose, and point of view

\

\ ·         Understand that writing is a process that includes planning, organizing, composing, revising, and editing

\

\ ·         Compose complete and grammatically correct sentences

\

\ ·         Generate an appropriate thesis statement and develop major supporting points in a reasonable and logical manner

\

\ ·         Apply standard American English syntax, usage, and mechanics in editing and writing essays.

\

\ ·         Utilize basic computer technology including such things as composing a document in MLA style with word processor, communicating using email, and learning about the college’s learning management system.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\  CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT:

\

\ All rules and regulations set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” section in the current edition of the Student’s Rights and Responsibilities publicationwill be followed in this course. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a copy of the handbook from the Dean of Student Services Office and to become familiar with the contents and provisions of the college’s policies, rules, and regulations concerning student conduct.

\

\ The class environment is based upon a simple principle: the instructor commits to treat you with respect, and you commit to treat each other and the instructor with respect. Everyone is equally responsible for maintaining a respectful dialogue and attitude. Disrespectful behavior towards anyone will not be tolerated in this class.

Grading Criteria

LATE WORK:

All work is due on the date assigned. The class calendar is usually followed, but it is always subject to change.  Regular viewing of the class calendar on AC Online is necessary so that a student will be aware of any class changes.  No assignment or weekly work (including reading quizzes) will be accepted late.  Keep up with the class calendar, which is located on AC Online.  You can always turn in work early. 

You are allowed ONE late major assignment (essay). This does not include the midterm essay or the final exam essay. The late essay will be penalized 10 points per day (includes weekend) that it is late.  An essay more than three days late will NOT be accepted.  Late minor assignments will NOT be accepted.  All work included in each Weekly Tab is considered minor assignments (except essays), and it will not be accepted if it is late.  Your three lowest MINOR (daily) grades are dropped.

If there is considerable difference in quality and style between out-of-class writings and timed writings, timed writing grades will take precedence.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ESSAY GRADES MAKE UP THE MAJOR PORTION OF YOUR GRADE (70% for out-of-class essays; 10% for mid-term timed essay; 10% for final essay (final exam)).  Therefore, it is CRITICAL that you TURN IN ALL ESSAYS.  You must follow all instructions for essay assignments.  For example, every essay will have a minimum word count requirement; if that minimum word count is not met, the essay will receive a grade of 0.  Also, on most essay assignments, I will provide a list of topics; you must select one of those topics; if you write on a topic that I have not listed on the assignment and you have not gotten permission from me ahead of time to select another topic, your essay grade will be a 0.

GRADING CRITERA/GRADE SCALE AND PROGRESSING TO THE NEXT CLASS: 

Final grades will be determined by quizzes, exercises, and successful completion of all assigned writing and reading projects. In order to pass this class, students must turn in all of their work and score an average of 70 or better for the course. Grades will be based on the following system: 

A         90-100= high achievement

B         80-89= above average achievement

C         70-79= satisfactory achievement

D         60-69= unsatisfactory achievement

F          0-59= unacceptable

 PROGRESSING TO THE NEXT CLASS: 

A student who does not earn a "C" or above in English 0302 must re-enroll in the course.  To receive credit for English 0302, students must have a 70 average or above, according to the following scale:

70% of your grade = essays

5% of your grade = daily work (grammar assignments & homework)

5% of your grade = discussions

10% of your grade = midterm written timed exam

10% of your grade = final written timed exam,  argumentative essay             

 MIDTERM GRADE NOTICIFICATION:

At midterm, instructors will send a grade notice to students whose grades are under 70.  This form will let students know at midterm that they are not passing and why.  It will give students an opportunity to talk to their instructors and to seek help to improve their grades.

Attendance

Students are expected to sign in, keep up with the class calendar, and do all assignments on time.  You need to email the instructor when an email is sent to you and information is requested. I sugguest  checking your email daily to ensure that you do not miss any important communication.  Students need to sign in and start work in the class on the first scheduled day of classes.  Regular class involvement is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to sign into the class and to complete all assignments.

Calendar

Additional Information

WITHDRAWING FROM A CLASS:

It is the responsibility of the student to officially drop or withdraw from a course. Failure to withdraw may result in a grade of “F” for the course. A grade of “W” will be given for student-initiated withdrawals that are submitted on or before the withdrawal deadline: April 19, 2012. Students may withdraw via WebAdvisor, by meeting with their academic advisor, by meeting with Advising Department staff or at any of the Assistance Center counters. Withdrawal requests will not be accepted by telephone.

The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time in fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. There are certain exceptions to this policy, and petitions for exceptions should be directed to the Registrar.

If during the semester you consider dropping this class, please check with the instructor first for an alternate plan that protects your investment in this course and gives you an opportunity to complete it.  Remember that the deadline for drops this semester is April 19, 2012.  Withdrawing early from a class could affect scholarship or financial aid monies.  Check with a counselor or advisor before you withdraw from any class.

 

 MIDTERM GRADE NOTICIFICATION:

At midterm, instructors will send a grade notice to students whose grades are under 70.  This form will let students know at midterm that they are not passing and why.  It will give students an opportunity to talk to their instructors and to seek help to improve their grades.

COMPUTERS:

Computers are available in the English Writing Labs (Ordway 101 and 104) for individual student use for word processing and Internet work. Students will do some writing on computers as a part of this class.  Students will need a USB (jump or flash) drive if they want to save their work.  This class also uses AC Online.

AC ONLINE:

AC Online is a program that we use in this class.  The class calendar is posted on AC Online.  The assignments are posted under the lesson tabs there.  Quizzes are sometimes taken on AC Online.  The grade book is in AC Online. Email is available for you on AC Online too.

TUTORING:

Free tutoring is available through two sources: The Writers’ Corner and Smarthinking. The Writers’ Corner is on the first floor of Ordway Hall in room 102. It is suggested that you make an appointment at  the Writers’ Corner, but you can also drop by for tutoring.  The Writers’ Corner is open Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  You can call for an appointment at (806) 345-5580. 

In addition, AC subscribes to Smarthinking, an on-line tutoring service you may use free for 10 hours each semester. This service is available nights and weekends. Access instructions are located in AC Online. 

 

TUTORING POLICY:

This is the tutoring policy for this class. When you turn in your first paper, you may receive a grade of NG.  This means that the paper’s grade would be below 70.  When you receive an NG as a grade, this means that you have a chance to make a passing grade.  I will return a copy of the paper to you with a tutoring form for you to take to the tutoring center, The Writers’ Corner.  You will take the paper and meet with a tutor.  You will have the tutor sign the tutoring form. You will then have one class period to rewrite the paper with the advice you received from the tutor.  You will turn back in the original NG paper, the revised paper, and the signed tutoring form.  The revised paper will then be graded.  If you decide to not take the NG paper to the tutoring center and turn in a revised copy, then the original NG grade will turn into a 0. (You must see a tutor in the Writers’ Corner to have the tutoring form signed. Smarthinking will not be accepted to remove a NG grade.) The NG policy applies to your first essay.

FEED BACK:

Email is the fastest way to receive a response back from me.  You may use my regular work email or email me through AC Online. I do not use Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace for my classes. 

Remember that when you have questions that you need to contact me well before an assignment is due.  For example, 11 p.m. may be too late to hear from me when a project is due at midnight or the next morning.  You might not get an answer to your communication until the next day.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT PLAGIARISM POLICY (Revised Jan. 2009):

Plagiarism:

According to the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct, plagiarism is the “appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.”

Misdocumented Plagiarism:

1.   Using someone else’s exact words that are quoted but not cited or cited but not quoted.

2.   Using a citation at the end of a block of prose without clarifying which material is borrowed.

3.   Missing or incomplete works-cited entries.

Misdocumented plagiarism will receive a maximum 50 percent deduction for the first offense, and the student will be required to meet with the instructor.

 Undocumented Plagiarism:

1.        Using someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited.

2.         Paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them.

3.         Using someone else’s research without citing it.

Undocumented plagiarism will receive a minimum penalty of 50 percent for the first time and 100 percent off for all subsequent infractions. The student will be required to meet with the instructor and the English Department Chair.